Lori Drew MySpace Fraud Trial May Be Dismissed Because Drew Never Read Terms of Use

Do You Ever Read Websites' Terms of Use?

Lori Drew, the woman who made a fake MySpace profile to torment teenager Megan Meier, which led to the latter's suicide, is currently on trial for fraud. This was the only way to prosecute Drew for her involvement in Meier's suicide — accusing her of fraudulently creating a MySpace account.

I personally cannot remember the last time I actually read a website's terms of use; I agree to them, sure, but it's rare that I actually read the fine print. Am I setting myself up for disaster? Maybe — it could depend on the outcome of this case. Tell me: Do you actually read the terms of use for every website that presents it to you?

Most the time I don't even go to the page where the Terms of Use are located. I always just simply assume that they are being honest. The only time I do is when downloading something, making sure they randomly state that it contains a virus. I'll take this story into consideration the next time I sign up for something.

I never read them.I don't have a MySpace, but usually, if you don't agree to the "Terms of Use", you can't register (or whatever you're trying to do). So I don't understand how this person is saying she never agreed to the terms.

I never read them.
I don't have a MySpace, but usually, if you don't agree to the "Terms of Use", you can't register (or whatever you're trying to do). So I don't understand how this person is saying she never agreed to the terms.

I skim through too.
I mean, I could read the full TOS text but my god, so boring to read all the copyright things I know already. I'm not criminal, I don't have to be aware of the details. I think..? :D

I skim through too. I mean, I could read the full TOS text but my god, so boring to read all the copyright things I know already. I'm not criminal, I don't have to be aware of the details. I think..? :D

I don't read them, I have never had gotten into trouble until a couple of days ago, I was sent a email telling me i wasn't following the rule then i promised not to do that again. So i may start actually reading the rules from know on.

I agree with Jude.
Since when can you just say you didn't read something and that automatically means you're precluded from consequence?
I didn't read the whole contract, therefore it's not binding?!
Could you imagine that!?

I agree with Jude.Since when can you just say you didn't read something and that automatically means you're precluded from consequence?I didn't read the whole contract, therefore it's not binding?!Could you imagine that!?

I didn't read them for a long time, but as I realized that the internet was fast becoming the medium for a lot of commerce-based activity, I started reading them more often, or at least saving them in a text or PDF file so that I could read them later (and I always did).
I wish more people would read them, actually. I'm a moderator for a website right now, and it's amazing how many people don't bother, and then get themselves in trouble or banned from the site - then they have the nerve to complain about it! Even if you only skim over things that pertain to you, it's better than just ignoring it completely.
I really hope that woman does get herself in trouble, and that the case isn't thrown out. It would set a really bad precedent for internet behavior vs. consequences. Not to mention that whether she read the ToS or not doesn't excuse her from being an a**hole. She actually said: "It's not like I pulled the trigger," in response to the news of the girl's suicide.
She deserves to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law - whether she read the law or not.

I didn't read them for a long time, but as I realized that the internet was fast becoming the medium for a lot of commerce-based activity, I started reading them more often, or at least saving them in a text or PDF file so that I could read them later (and I always did).I wish more people would read them, actually. I'm a moderator for a website right now, and it's amazing how many people don't bother, and then get themselves in trouble or banned from the site - then they have the nerve to complain about it! Even if you only skim over things that pertain to you, it's better than just ignoring it completely.I really hope that woman does get herself in trouble, and that the case isn't thrown out. It would set a really bad precedent for internet behavior vs. consequences. Not to mention that whether she read the ToS or not doesn't excuse her from being an a**hole. She actually said: "It's not like I pulled the trigger," in response to the news of the girl's suicide.She deserves to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law - whether she read the law or not.

I think when Lori said she didn't agree to the TOS, she meant "personally" she didn't agree to them. As in, her assistant created the account.
I think Lori is a messed up woman obviously, but I have to wonder about Megan's mother too. From what I've read regarding Megan's history of behavior, I doubt her home life was very nurturing.

I think when Lori said she didn't agree to the TOS, she meant "personally" she didn't agree to them. As in, her assistant created the account.I think Lori is a messed up woman obviously, but I have to wonder about Megan's mother too. From what I've read regarding Megan's history of behavior, I doubt her home life was very nurturing.

It really depends on the type of website. For a social networking site or a forum, I usually won't read the Terms of Service, mostly because it is unlikely that I'll use them very much or in many different ways. If I'm using a forum/website and am unsure if I'm allowed to do something, I'll usually check to make sure it's okay then.
However, not reading the terms of service shouldn't really be a reason to throw a case out. One of the conditions for using a website is under the assumption one has read the terms of service and should be responsible for their actions.

It really depends on the type of website. For a social networking site or a forum, I usually won't read the Terms of Service, mostly because it is unlikely that I'll use them very much or in many different ways. If I'm using a forum/website and am unsure if I'm allowed to do something, I'll usually check to make sure it's okay then. However, not reading the terms of service shouldn't really be a reason to throw a case out. One of the conditions for using a website is under the assumption one has read the terms of service and should be responsible for their actions.

i read them but the reality is that if you pay attention you wouldn't agree to half the stuff in them. you don't realize you're allowing your info to be shared for profit and your privacy to be invaded for no real reason. but if you don't agree you don't get to play. it's a price you pay but it can sometimes be worth it. the people on facebook disagreed with the ad platform they rolled out. people revolted and it changed. although it's back, the program has been modified. if people had read the terms, they would have known that very thing was not only possible but they agreed to it!

I tend to skim.But here's my thought on Lori Drew--when you sign up for something like MySpace (or Sugar), you have to click on that "I have read the TOS and agree." I feel like since she did that, the fact that she says she never actually read them shouldn't excuse her from her actions.That would be a bit like saying, "Oh, I didn't know it was illegal to kill a person. I've never read the laws. So I should get off."

I tend to skim.
But here's my thought on Lori Drew--when you sign up for something like MySpace (or Sugar), you have to click on that "I have read the TOS and agree." I feel like since she did that, the fact that she says she never actually read them shouldn't excuse her from her actions.
That would be a bit like saying, "Oh, I didn't know it was illegal to kill a person. I've never read the laws. So I should get off."